National Republican., 1887-01-26
Eala Shin rniIunv.

EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN,. In aletter by |
Rear Admiral Ammen on the ship railway, |
which appeared in your columns this morning, |
and In otherpublished letters and In pamphlets,
he conveys the impression that no engineers
or shipbuilders of experience and prominence
have been willing TO place themselves on rec
ord as believin the ship railway TO be prac-
ticable.
The facts, on the contrary, are that large
number Of very prominent men belonging to
those classes which have TO do with ships and
railways-men who can properly be considered
experts-havo given pronounced opinions in
favor of the ship railway.
The following Englishmen have, over their
signatures, stated their favorable opinions:
Sir Edward j. Reed, for many years Chtei
constructor of the British navy, the highest
authority, no doubt, in the world to-day on
Mr. Nalhanlel Barnaby. the successor of Sir
Edward Reed as chief constructor OF the Brit
Mr.. William John, for some. years scientific
George Fosbery Iyrter, enginecr-in.c chief of
the Liverpool docks, which we're built from
| his designs. He is recognized as one OF the
most able and conservative engineers In Eng
land
ablest and most experienced Of living engi-
| neers.
| MIR E Leader Williams, who was chief en-.
| EluCer OF the Trent ana MefScN CHuHlt VINO
constructed the noted Anderton hydraulic
canal lin, and who is now chief engineer OF
the Manchester ship canal
| Messrs, CLARK and stanneld, who designed
and built the Bombay, Malta and Victoria
| hydraulic lifts.
| Mr.. W Pierce, sole proprietor of John Elder
Arizona the Elbe. Alaska, Etruria Oregon,
and many others of the largest steamers.
| MIR. Francis Elger for long, time general
| manager of Enrle's Shipbuilding and Engi-
| priuu (Ompany. and naval architect oil
| very considerable ability.
In this country the following well.known
| naval architects, naval officers, and engineers
| may be mentioned as confident of the practical
bility OF the ship railway:
Commodore Theo. d. Wilson, the present
| chief constructor of the United States navy.
Commodore J. W. Early, late chief construc-
tor, United States navy.
The late Edward HART. who was one Of the
Oldest and most able constructors OF the United
MIR. II. L. Fernald, naval constructor of
| recognized ability.
Admiral Ammon might ask the opinion on
this subject of bis associates, Rear Admiral
Shufeldt aud Rear Admiral S. p. Carter. both
ofwhom have pronounced convictions in favor
of the praciicablity the ship railway.
| The following are the names of a few Ameri-
can civil engineers and railroad managers OF
the highest standing who have carefully ex-
amined the subject and have pronounced the
snip railway entirely practicable: Gen. VIM.
sooy Smith, Henry Fad II. D. Whitcom5, G;
shaler Smith, T e. Clarke; o: Channte, apI,, late
Morgan, jr., railroad expert of Illinois, aud
formerly one Of the state railway commission
ers; Clemens Herschel, of Boston; Charles
Civil Engineers Col. II. f. Douglass, chief en-
gineer Baltimore and Ohio railroad extension
g New York; James D, Francis, of Lowell,
| Civil Engineers: Thomas G. Keefer, C. NJ. g.,
member Institution Civil Engineers, London,
vice president, president, american sS society CIVIL En-
T.. Jetiery, general manager. Illinois Central
r%hiiwa also Gen e A GIimOrs and MAJ
The admiral brings forward the name Of the
late Mr.. W. W. Evans--as opposed to the ship
railway-a name which would have greater
condemned the plans for the St. Louis bridge
and declared the work impracticable-his
condemnation being given without having
prom Prominent engineer IS gwen IN one of % the ad-
inirals pamphlets, that of Mr.. VIM. J. Mac
Alpine, who was president Of the convention OF
for the st. Louis bridge impractcable. Six
years ago the admiral published u letter by a
very prominent and experienced shipbuilder,
Mr.. Nathaniel Mckay, who recently retracted
his former opinion in the following manly
letter:
New YORK. Nov. 30. lss6-JAMEs B. EADs
Dear Sir: In January, 1881. wrote an article
on your ship railway across the isthmus Ia
carry ships loaded with cargo. Since that date
! have carefully examined all your plans for
hoisting and lowering the ships, as well as the
in transit and the various tracks to sustain the
cradle that conveys the vessel. am more than
confident that your plan is far superior TO the
| method which had in my mind when wrote
| the article, and l am desirous to correct the
, statement. !, as mechanic, cannot afford to bs
: unjust with you or anyone; II i condemn any
mechanical device l must give fair and rea-
, | sopable excuses for SO doing Your plan, 1
built, will, in my mind, do all you claim for 1t
and you have my approval, and / wish you al
the success you desire in this gigantic under
taking. The completion of this railway will
benefit the entire world. / am, dear sir. your
, with great respect, NATHANIEL MCKAY.
: The above are but few of very many prdc
tical experts who, by letter or in person. hav
given decided opinions in favor of the plan
e designed by Capt. Eads for transporting YES
sells overland.
1t is rare TO find practical man of intell
' cence and experience in the construction o
y in the handling of vessels. or in railway COR
struction and operation, who hesitates after h
s has examined the plans to give a fayorabl
}, opinion upon that part of the project in whic
/, | he is an expert.
d Having had extended opportunities to ascei
tain the views of naval and railway experts
can speak from actual knowledge. l an
sir, yours very truly, L. l.. CoRrHELL,
Chief Engineer ship Railway.